Wrench



June 14, 1932. w c KS I WRENCH Filed Feb. 24, 1931 INVENTOR WILL/AM C'.NEE/(5' Y W fi. MA TTORIVEY Patented June 14, 1932 WILLIAM G. MEEKS, OFWICHITA, KANSAS WRENCH Application filed February 24,, 1931.

This invention relates to a wrench and while the wrench is adapted forvarious uses it is particularly effective in setting up and breaking thejoints of sucker rods used in oil wells and the like. The sucker rodsare provided with polygonal portions at their respective ends to heengaged by a wrench to screw the threaded pin at the end of one rod intothe socket of the other rod. These polygonal portions are generallycalled squares. It is difficult to snap up the rods, that is, make thejoint tight when the rod sections are being connected as well as tounscrew the rods to break the joints when it is desirable to disconnectthe rod sections. My invention contemplates the provision of means forexpediting the screwing up of the rod sections and the breaking of thejoints whenever necessary, by the employment of a wrench having a. j awto engage the so called squares, the wrench being so constructed that ahammer blow may be impacted against the jaw.

The novelty of the invention will be understood by referring to thefollowing descrip tion in connection with the accompanying drawing inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a wrench constructed in accordance withmy invention, parts being broken away to better illustrate certain otherparts.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the wrench head.

The wrench is provided with a handle 1 of appropriate construction. Oneend is bifurcated providing a slot 2 to receive the shank of the head.The slot is provided with a stop 3 received in the notch 4 of the head5. The

notch is wider than the stop so that the head may have plav on the pivot6 which passes through the bifurcated portion of the handle.

It will be noted that the shank is slightly inclined at 7 to restagainst the inclined portion 8 within the slot. The inclined portion 8of course acts as a stop for the portion 7 of the shank. The shank isrelativelv heavy and it terminates in a squareengaging jaw 9 which isadapted to engage the square portion of the sucker rod or the polygonalportion of a device which it is desired to turn. The portion 7 of shank10 is narrower than Serial No. 517,721.

the shank proper to provide shoulders 11 and 12 to be contacted with theedges of the bifurcated portions 13 and 14 of the handle. To deliver ahammer blow to the shank in an effort to loosen the sucker rods whenthey are screwed up tight or to snap them tight when. they are beingconnected, the swinging movement of the head will be limited by contactof the lug 15 on the shank 10 with the stop 3. In order to normally urgethe handle against the shank and the shank against the handle a tensionspring 16 is provided. one end of which is fastened in a recess 17 inthe handle and the other to the ear or lug 18 on the shank. This willnormally hold the head against movement with respect to the handle andwill assist in delivering the hammer blow to the shank of the head.

When it is desired to unscrew or to draw up the joint between two suckerrods, I will employ two wrenches operating in opposite directions sothat one sucker rod can be held while unscrewing or drawing up with theother wrench. The wrench can be constructed in a rugged. durable manner.which is of prime importance in the oil fields where all tools aresubjected to hard usage.

It will be observed that the blow from the handle will be imparted tothe shank, a considerable distance from the fulcrum or pivot 6, so thatan appreciable leverage will be exerted on the sucker rod when the blowis struck. This will materially assist in freeing so called frozenjoints and in snapping them up when the joints are being made.

What I claim and desire by Letters'Patent 1s A wrench comprising a.handle having one end provided with a slot. a longitudinal stop of lesswicth than the slot having an inclined face. a head pivoted to thehandle adjacent to the slot, said head having a notched portion on thehead the edges of which overlap the stop to contact therewith to limitthe movement of the head in either of two directions, a shank on thehead to contact with the inclined portion of the stop and a jaw carriedby the head offset with respect to the shank.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

WILLIAM C. MEEKS.

